March 12, 2004

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AREA BILL

On Tuesday March 9 at Arts Day in Albany, Assemblyman Joseph Morelle and Senator Serphin Maltese annouced a new "uni" bill and provided a bill summary (Assembly #7018; Senate # 3109) to create the New York State Arts and Cultural Development Areas Program (formerly known as the New York State Culture Zone Project).

We want to get this legislation passed this session!

In order to do that we need people to contact elected officials all over New York State. Your voice will speak volumes to encourage support for this pioneering new program which will benefit the cultural community in every corner of New York State.

The purpose of the New York State Cultural Developmet Areas Act (CDA) is to provide for the development and support of arts and cultural institutions and the preservation of cultural heritage, including the development and support of ancillary organizaitons and instructure, to create jobs and encourage economic development.

Benefits of a CDA will include but are not limited to: property tax exemptions for cultural facility projects, utility tax exemption, investment tax credit and employment incentive credit, wage tax credit, sales and use tax exemption and gas and electric rate reduction.

Every county in New York State is eligible, with the areas to be designated locally. In addition to establishment of CDAs there will also be the designation of up to 100 "Cultural Assets," which are intended to provide benefits to arts and cultural-related facilities located outside the boundaries of a Cultural Area.

Thanks to your efforts we are proud that the bill has come so far. Please contact your legislators to encourage their support of this revolutionary new legislation, and make sure to thank Senator Maltese and Assemblyman Morelle as well.

Thanks to so many of you who helped us make Arts Day an unprecedented success. Over 600 advocates, including artists, arts administrators, and the celebrities Tovah Feldshuh and Melissa Leo did a great job to advance the arts in New York State. The message to increase NYSCA budget by $4million; $2million in the Senate and $2 million in the Assembly was heard in the corridors and with continued legislative contact this could happen.

The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 28-year history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen community cultural organizations. The Alliance monitors, informs and mobilizes the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.

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Mattituck, NY 11952-0096
Phone (631) 298-1234 / Fax (631) 298-1101